Swipe Files, Scripts, and Templates

Some materials teach students how to think about a problem. Others give them something they can use immediately. Swipe files, scripts, and templates are the second kind. They’re the materials students love most because they save time.

But there’s a tension. Give students a template that’s too specific, and it doesn’t apply to their situation. Give them something too generic, and it’s useless. Here’s how to get the balance right.

The Spectrum: Copy-Paste to Framework

Materials exist on a spectrum from “use this exactly” to “use this as inspiration”:

Copy-paste. The student plugs in their specific details and uses the material as-is. Templates for legal pages, email sequences with fill-in-the-blank fields, standard operating procedures.

Adapt. The student uses the structure but rewrites the content for their situation. Sales page outlines, email templates with suggested copy, lesson plan frameworks.

Inspire. The student sees examples of what works and creates their own version. Swipe files, case studies, “here’s what X looks like in five different industries.”

The right end of the spectrum depends on the lesson. A lesson on legal pages can give copy-paste templates because the language is mostly standardized. A lesson on writing your origin story can only provide inspiration, because the content has to be personal.

When in doubt, provide a template with annotations. The template gives students a starting point. The annotations explain why each section works, so they can adapt it intelligently instead of blindly.

Swipe Files

A swipe file is a collection of examples students can reference when creating their own materials.

What makes a good swipe file:

• Variety. Five examples from different industries are more useful than ten examples from the same one. A student can see the underlying pattern when they encounter it in multiple contexts.
• Annotations. Each example should include a note explaining why it works. What makes this headline effective? What psychological trigger does this email use? Without annotations, a swipe file is just a gallery.
• Organization. Group examples by type or purpose. All subject lines together. All opening paragraphs together. All call-to-action sections together. Random order helps no one.

What swipe files are NOT:

• A license to plagiarize. Tell students explicitly: “Use these for structure and inspiration, not as-is copy.”
• A replacement for understanding. A student who copies a great headline without understanding why it works can’t write the next one.

Scripts

A script is a word-for-word template for a specific situation. Cold outreach emails, sales call openings, webinar transitions, video lesson intros.

When scripts work:

• The situation is standardized. A “thank you for purchasing” email follows a predictable structure.
• The cost of getting it wrong is high. Legal language, compliance statements, cancellation policies.
• The student is a beginner who needs a safety net. Having exact words to say reduces the fear of starting.

When scripts backfire:

• The situation is personal. A script for “sharing your origin story” is counterproductive. The story has to be genuine.
• The student is advanced enough that scripts feel restrictive. Give advanced students frameworks instead.
• The script doesn’t account for the student’s specific context. A sales script written for B2B consultants doesn’t work for B2C fitness coaches without modification.

Templates

A template is a structured starting point with labeled sections the student fills in.

Good template design:

• Labeled sections. Each section has a clear label and a brief instruction. “[Your Course Name]” is better than “[Insert Title Here].”
• Sample content. Include a completed example alongside the blank template. Students understand what to put in each section when they see what it looks like filled out.
• Constraints. Word counts or character limits for each section. “2-3 sentences” is more helpful than “write something here.”

Template types course creators use most:

• Sales page outline (section-by-section with prompts)
• Email sequence map (which email goes when, with subject line suggestions)
• Lesson plan (objectives, content, exercises, action items)
• Module overview (title, description, lesson list, estimated time)
• Student onboarding checklist

Your Task

Choose one lesson in your course that would benefit from a swipe file, script, or template. Create it.

If it’s a swipe file, include at least 3 annotated examples. If it’s a script, write the full text with fill-in fields marked in brackets. If it’s a template, include a completed example alongside the blank version.

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